On my last day in the Working House my informant Jenny Hughes visited me. I showed her the results of my labour and she was quite satisfied, thus releasing me for my onward journey.

I was discharged from the Working House after four days making the return journey with case and haversack back to Southport. I shall not return to the Working House within four weeks for that is the rule. The earliest I can return therefore is 9th October but I think I shall not have to return until 8th November for I have plenty to keep me occupied until then including a return visit to Touchstones where the Rochdale Union Archives are kept; a visit to Bentley, Tattingstone and Ipswich to retrace where I left off with Nana-in-hospital’s story in 1997 and a long working plan of activities to complete prior to that.

My labour in the Working House had comprised eating daily bread, wearing a bib and a matron’s hat, reading aloud, singing hymns and common ditties, physical exercise, reading from the Bible, reading instructions for how to run a Workhouse and how to be on the Board of Guardians, singing unlike Anne Hathaway, singing quite like Mark Lester. I also read aloud Christmas Day In the Workhouse by George R. Sims, and mimed to Terry Wogan’s version which all culminated in a dance to Close the Coalhouse Door by The Unthanks incorporating the beginning of a new song called Public Money I am fashioning myself. I have tried various accents and sought to inhabit the skin of the elderly infirm, the lunatics and imbeciles, the child, the potential street worker, the porter and the Matron. I have moved to music, my own voice and the images I have collected.

These past few days I have put all the endeavours into short films for future reference and realise there are many things I have yet to read.

Guardians’ Minute Books 1845 – 1900

Don’t complain or you will get the sack:

Transcribed from Rochdale archives:

The clerk sent a letter from the workhouse master complaining that Attendant Fred W. not being satisfied with the woman last sent by the Workhouse matron as Servant to Mrs Jones, had written to the Matron a very impertinent threatening note. The note complained of was also read by the clerk who stated that he had sent a letter to the Workhouse Matron and to Attendant Jones informing them that the matter would be brought before the committee. In reply Jones who, being on the sick list could not appear before the committee, sent a long letter in explanation of his note. This letter was also read to the committee who, after full consideration unanimously resolved that Attendant Fred W. Jones be informed that

when he and his wife received their joint appointment it was contemplated by the Guardians that they would be comfortable in their apartments as the workhouse as the Guardians found all officers to be

that in the opinion of the committee the matron had made all reasonable provision in the way of domestic help for Mrs Jones

that the note to the matron about which the Master complained is considered by the Guardians to be a most improper note and

that the committee request that Attendant Jones will not again display any want of respect, otherwise the guardians will feel compelled to consider whether they should retain him in their service.

INDEX BOOK

PARTICULARS ON PERSONS ADMITTED INTO AND DISCHARGED FROM DEARNLEY WORKHOUSE